U.S. patent application number 14/933116 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-11 for oven appliance.
The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to Gary Dwayne Mandrusiak, Nandini Nagraj, Stanton Earl Weaver, JR..
Application Number | 20170130967 14/933116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58663488 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170130967 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weaver, JR.; Stanton Earl ;
et al. |
May 11, 2017 |
Oven Appliance
Abstract
The present subject matter provides an oven appliance with a
fluid analysis assembly fluidly mounted to a duct. The fluid
analysis assembly includes a casing and a sensor array. A fluid
inlet of the casing extends between the duct and a dilution chamber
of the casing. An ambient inlet of the casing is contiguous with
ambient air about the casing and the dilution chamber. The sensor
array includes a plurality of fluid sensors positioned at the
dilution chamber of the casing.
Inventors: |
Weaver, JR.; Stanton Earl;
(Broadalbin, NY) ; Mandrusiak; Gary Dwayne;
(Latham, NY) ; Nagraj; Nandini; (Clifton Park,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58663488 |
Appl. No.: |
14/933116 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/2007
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/20 20060101
F24C015/20; F24C 15/18 20060101 F24C015/18; F24C 15/32 20060101
F24C015/32; F24C 15/00 20060101 F24C015/00 |
Claims
1. An oven appliance, comprising: a cabinet defining a cooking
chamber; a duct extending from the cooking chamber of the cabinet
and configured for receiving a fluid from the cooking chamber of
cabinet; an air handler configured for selectively drawing the
fluid from the cooking chamber of the cabinet into the duct; a
fluid analysis assembly connected to the duct, the fluid analysis
assembly comprising a casing defining a fluid inlet, an ambient
inlet, a dilution chamber and a mixed fluid exit, the fluid inlet
of the casing extending between the duct and the dilution chamber
such that a portion of the fluid from the cooking chamber of the
cabinet flows into the dilution chamber via the fluid inlet during
operation of the air handler, the ambient inlet contiguous with
ambient air about the casing and the dilution chamber such that the
ambient air about the casing flows into the dilution chamber via
the ambient inlet during operation of the air handler; and a sensor
array mounted to the casing and comprising a plurality of fluid
sensors, the plurality of fluid sensors of the sensor array
positioned at the dilution chamber of the casing, each sensor of
the plurality of fluid sensors configured for measuring a different
gas, vapor or combination of gases and vapors in the fluid from the
cooking chamber.
2. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet and the
ambient inlet are positioned opposite each other about the dilution
chamber.
3. The oven appliance of claim 2, wherein the fluid inlet and the
ambient inlet are aligned with each other across the dilution
chamber.
4. The oven appliance of claim 2, wherein the casing extends
between a first end portion and a second end portion along a
lateral direction, the fluid inlet and the ambient inlet positioned
at the first end portion of the casing, the mixed fluid exit
positioned at the second end portion of the casing.
5. The oven appliance of claim 4, wherein the casing extends
between a first side portion and a second side portion along a
transverse direction that is perpendicular to the lateral
direction, the fluid inlet positioned at the first side portion of
the casing, the ambient inlet positioned at the second side portion
of the casing, the mixed fluid exit positioned between the fluid
inlet and the ambient inlet along the transverse direction.
6. The oven appliance of claim 4, wherein the plurality of fluid
sensors is positioned between the fluid inlet and the mixed fluid
outlet along the lateral direction.
7. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the fluid analysis
assembly further comprises a control valve positioned at the
ambient inlet of the casing, the control valve configured for
selectively adjusting a flow of ambient air about the casing into
the dilution chamber via the ambient inlet.
8. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the ambient inlet is
larger than the fluid inlet.
9. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fluid
sensors comprises metal oxide semiconductor sensors.
10. The oven appliance of claim 9, wherein the plurality of fluid
sensors comprises at least three sensors.
11. An oven appliance, comprising: a cabinet defining a cooking
chamber; a duct fluidly coupled to the cooking chamber of the
cabinet; an air handler coupled to the duct and configured for
selectively drawing a fluid from the cooking chamber of the cabinet
into the duct; a fluid analysis assembly connected to the duct, the
fluid analysis assembly comprising a casing defining a fluid inlet,
an ambient inlet, a dilution chamber and a mixed fluid exit, the
fluid inlet of the casing contiguous with the duct and the dilution
chamber, the ambient inlet contiguous with ambient air about the
casing and the dilution chamber; and a sensor array comprising a
plurality of fluid sensors, the plurality of fluid sensors of the
sensor array positioned at the dilution chamber of the casing, each
sensor of the plurality of fluid sensors configured for measuring a
different gas, vapor or combination of gases and vapors in the
fluid from the cooking chamber.
12. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein the fluid inlet and the
ambient inlet are positioned opposite each other about the dilution
chamber.
13. The oven appliance of claim 12, wherein the fluid inlet and the
ambient inlet are aligned with each other across the dilution
chamber.
14. The oven appliance of claim 12, wherein the casing extends
between a first end portion and a second end portion along a
lateral direction, the fluid inlet and the ambient inlet positioned
at the first end portion of the casing, the mixed fluid exit
positioned at the second end portion of the casing.
15. The oven appliance of claim 14, wherein the casing extends
between a first side portion and a second side portion along a
transverse direction that is perpendicular to the lateral
direction, the fluid inlet positioned at the first side portion of
the casing, the ambient inlet positioned at the second side portion
of the casing, the mixed fluid exit positioned between the fluid
inlet and the ambient inlet along the transverse direction.
16. The oven appliance of claim 14, wherein the plurality of
sensors is positioned between the fluid inlet and the mixed fluid
outlet along the lateral direction.
17. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein the fluid analysis
assembly further comprises a control valve positioned at the
ambient inlet of the casing, the control valve configured for
selectively adjusting a flow of ambient air about the casing into
the dilution chamber via the ambient inlet.
18. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein the ambient inlet is
larger than the fluid inlet.
19. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein the plurality of fluid
sensors comprises at least one of a metal oxide semiconductor
sensor, a radio frequency sensor, an electrochemical sensor or an
infrared sensor.
20. The oven appliance of claim 19, wherein the plurality of fluid
sensors comprises at least three sensors.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to oven
appliances and food doneness sensors for oven appliances.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Oven appliances generally include a cabinet and heating
elements. The heating elements are positioned adjacent a cooking
chamber in the cabinet and are operable to heat the cooking
chamber. During operation of the heating elements, food items
within the cooking chamber may be cooked.
[0003] Recipes commonly call for food items to be cooked for a
predetermined period of time at a specified temperature. Heating
the food items at the specified temperature for the predetermined
period of time generally cooks the food item to a desired degree.
However, ingredient variations, weight of the food item, oven
cooking temperature variations and other factors affect each recipe
batch and make obtaining uniform cooking results difficult. Thus,
selecting the specified temperature and cooking the food item for
the predetermined period of time may not provide the desired degree
of cooking for each recipe batch. In addition, repeatedly checking
cooking doneness of the food item can be tedious and
inconvenient.
[0004] Accordingly, an oven appliance with features for assisting
with determining when a food item within the oven appliance is
cooked would be useful. In particular, an oven appliance with
features for assisting with determining when a food item is cooked
to a desired degree would be useful. Further, an oven appliance
with features for assisting with determining when a food item is
cooked to a desired degree while avoiding repeated visual or manual
checking of the food item would be useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present subject matter provides an oven appliance with a
fluid analysis assembly connected to a duct. The fluid analysis
assembly includes a casing and a sensor array. A fluid inlet of the
casing extends between the duct and a dilution chamber of the
casing. An ambient inlet of the casing is contiguous with ambient
air about the casing and the dilution chamber. The sensor array
includes a plurality of fluid sensors positioned at the dilution
chamber of the casing. Additional aspects and advantages of the
invention will be set forth in part in the following description,
or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through
practice of the invention.
[0006] In a first exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance is
provided. The oven appliance includes a cabinet that defines a
cooking chamber. A duct extends from the cooking chamber of the
cabinet and is configured for receiving a fluid from the cooking
chamber of cabinet. An air handler is configured for selectively
drawing the fluid from the cooking chamber of the cabinet into the
duct. A fluid analysis assembly is connected to the duct. The fluid
analysis assembly includes a casing that defines a fluid inlet, an
ambient inlet, a dilution chamber and a mixed fluid exit. The fluid
inlet of the casing extends between the duct and the dilution
chamber such that a portion of the fluid from the cooking chamber
of the cabinet flows into the dilution chamber via the fluid inlet
during operation of the air handler. The ambient inlet is
contiguous with ambient air about the casing and the dilution
chamber such that the ambient air about the casing flows into the
dilution chamber via the ambient inlet during operation of the air
handler. A sensor array is mounted to the casing and includes a
plurality of fluid sensors. The plurality of fluid sensors of the
sensor array is positioned at the dilution chamber of the casing.
Each sensor of the plurality of fluid sensors is configured for
measuring a different gas, vapor or combination of gases and vapors
in the fluid from the cooking chamber.
[0007] In a second exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance is
provided. The oven appliance includes a cabinet that defines a
cooking chamber. A duct is fluidly coupled to the cooking chamber
of the cabinet. An air handler is coupled to the duct and is
configured for selectively drawing a fluid from the cooking chamber
of the cabinet into the duct. A fluid analysis assembly is
connected to the duct. The fluid analysis assembly includes a
casing that defines a fluid inlet, an ambient inlet, a dilution
chamber and a mixed fluid exit. The fluid inlet of the casing is
contiguous with the duct and the dilution chamber. The ambient
inlet is contiguous with ambient air about the casing and the
dilution chamber. A sensor array includes a plurality of fluid
sensors. The plurality of fluid sensors of the sensor array is
positioned at the dilution chamber of the casing. Each sensor of
the plurality of fluid sensors is configured for measuring a
different gas, vapor or combination of gases and vapors in the
fluid from the cooking chamber.
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures.
[0010] FIG. 1 provides a front view of an oven appliance according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0011] FIG. 2 provides a section view of the exemplary oven
appliance of FIG. 1 taken along the 2-2 line of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a fluid analysis
assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0013] FIG. 4 provides a top section view of the exemplary fluid
analysis assembly of FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a method for determining doneness of food
items within an oven appliance according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present subject matter.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for operating an oven appliance
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an exemplary plot of signals from a sensor array
of a fluid analysis assembly during cooking of a food item.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0018] FIG. 1 provides a front view of an oven appliance 100
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.
FIG. 2 provides a section view of oven appliance 100. Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2, oven appliance 100 includes an insulated cabinet 102
with an interior cooking chamber 104 defined by a top wall 112, a
bottom wall 114, a back wall 116 and opposing side walls 118, 120.
Cooking chamber 104 is configured for the receipt of one or more
food items to be cooked, e.g., baked, broiled, etc. Oven appliance
100 includes a door 108 pivotally mounted, e.g., with one or more
hinges (not shown), to cabinet 102 at the opening 106 of cabinet
102 to permit selective access to cooking chamber 104 through
opening 106. A handle 110 is mounted to door 108 and assists a user
with opening and closing door 108. For example, a user can pull on
handle 110 to open or close door 108 and access cooking chamber
104.
[0019] Oven appliance 100 can include a seal (not shown) between
door 108 and cabinet 102 that assists with maintaining heat and
cooking gases or vapors within cooking chamber 104 when door 108 is
closed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Multiple parallel glass panes 122
provide for viewing the contents of cooking chamber 104 when door
108 is closed and assist with insulating cooking chamber 104. A
baking rack 142 is positioned in cooking chamber 104 for the
receipt of food items or utensils containing food items. Baking
rack 142 is slidably received onto embossed ribs or sliding rails
144 such that rack 142 may be conveniently moved into and out of
cooking chamber 104 when door 108 is open.
[0020] A heating element at the top, bottom or both of cooking
chamber 104 provides heat to cooking chamber 104 for cooking or
other operations of oven appliance 100. Such heating element(s) can
be gas, electric or a combination thereof. For example, in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2, oven appliance 100 includes a top
heating element 124 and a bottom heating element 126, and top and
bottom heating elements 124, 126 are electric heating elements,
e.g., calrods.
[0021] Oven appliance 100 includes a user interface 128 having a
display 130 positioned on an interface panel 132 and having a
variety of controls 134. User interface 128 allows the user to
select various options for the operation of oven 100 including,
e.g., temperature, time, and/or various cooking and cleaning
cycles. Operation of oven appliance 100 is regulated by a
controller 136 that is operatively coupled, i.e., in communication
with, user interface 128, heating elements 124, 126, and other
components of oven 100 as will be further described. For example,
in response to user manipulation of the user interface 128,
controller 136 can operate the heating element(s). Controller 136
can receive measurements from a temperature sensor (not shown)
placed in cooking chamber 104 and, e.g., provide a temperature
indication to the user with display 130. Controller 136 can also be
provided with other features as will be further described herein.
User interface 128 may also be an automated interface, such as a
scanning device or a mobile device that can connect and communicate
with oven appliance 100, e.g., wirelessly.
[0022] Controller 136 may include a memory and one or more
processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs, or the like, such
as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute
programming instructions or micro-control code associated with
operation of oven appliance 100. The memory may represent random
access memory such as DRAM or read only memory such as ROM or
FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming
instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate
component from the processor or may be included onboard within the
processor.
[0023] Controller 136 may be positioned in a variety of locations
throughout oven appliance 100. In the illustrated exemplary
embodiment, controller 136 is located next to user interface 128
within interface panel 132. In other exemplary embodiments,
controller 136 may be located under or next to the user interface
128 otherwise within interface panel 132 or at any other
appropriate location with respect to oven appliance 100. In the
exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, input/output ("I/O")
signals are routed between controller 136 and various operational
components of oven appliance 100 such as heating elements 124, 126,
controls 134, display 130, sensors, alarms and/or other components
as may be provided. In one exemplary embodiment, user interface 128
may represent a general purpose I/O ("GPIO") device or functional
block.
[0024] Although shown with touch type controls 134, it should be
understood that controls 134 and the configuration of oven
appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided by way of example only.
More specifically, user interface 128 may include various input
components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical,
mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary
dials, push buttons and touch pads. The user interface 128 may
include other display components, such as a digital or analog
display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user.
User interface 128 may be in communication with controller 136 via
one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
[0025] Oven appliance 100 is generally referred to as a "wall oven"
and is provided by way of example only. Thus, while described in
greater detail below in the context of oven appliance 100, it
should be understood that the present subject matter described
below in greater detail may be used in or with any other suitable
oven appliance in alternative exemplary embodiments. For example,
the present subject matter may also be used in or with stand-alone
oven appliances, oven range appliances, etc.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, oven appliance 100 includes a vent
150, e.g., in top wall 112 of cooking chamber 104. Vent 150 is in
fluid communication with the exterior of cooking chamber 104
through duct 152. Thus, vent 150 and duct 152 form an exhaust for
vapors and gases generated in cooking chamber 104, i.e., an exhaust
for vapors and gases given off by food items in cooking chamber
104. Oven appliance 100 also includes a fan or air handler 154. Air
handler 154 is configured for selectively drawing fluid (e.g.,
vapors and gases generated during cooking of a food article) in
cooking chamber 104 into vent 150 and duct 152. Air handler 154 may
be coupled to duct 152 within cabinet 102, e.g., above top wall
112.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, oven appliance 100 includes a fluid
analysis assembly 160. Fluid analysis assembly 160 is positioned at
and/or mounted to duct 152 within oven appliance 100. Thus, fluid
analysis assembly 160 is fluidly coupled to duct 152 such that
vapors and gases from cooking chamber 104 within duct 152 may flow
to fluid analysis assembly 160. Fluid analysis assembly 160 may
include a printed circuit board ("PCB") with a plurality of fluid
sensors 222 (FIG. 3). The PCB of fluid analysis assembly 160 is
electrically powered and may generate heat during operation. Thus,
mounting fluid analysis assembly 160 (e.g., and the PCB) to duct
152 separates the PCB from heat generated in cooking chamber 104
during operation of top heating element 124 and/or bottom heating
element 126 to assist with preventing damage to the PCB. It should
be understood that vent 150 and fluid analysis assembly 160 may be
positioned at other locations within oven appliance 100 in
alternative exemplary embodiments. For example, fluid analysis
assembly 160 and vent 150 may be positioned at or adjacent back
wall 116 or one of opposing side walls 118, 120 in alternative
exemplary embodiments.
[0028] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of fluid analysis
assembly 160. FIG. 4 provides a top section view of fluid analysis
assembly 160. As may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, fluid analysis
assembly 160 includes a dilution box or casing 200 and a sensor
array 220. Fluid analysis assembly 160 defines a vertical direction
V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T. The vertical
direction V, the lateral direction L and the transverse direction T
are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction
system.
[0029] As may be seen in FIG. 4, casing 200 defines a dilution
chamber 210, a fluid inlet 212, an ambient inlet 214 and a mixed
fluid exit 216. Fluid inlet 212 is configured for directing cooking
vapors or gases from cooking chamber 104 of oven appliance 100
within duct 152 (shown with arrows A.sub.C) into dilution chamber
210. Conversely, ambient inlet 214 is configured for directing
ambient air about fluid analysis assembly 160 (shown with arrows
A.sub.A), such as air within or around cabinet 102, into dilution
chamber 210. Within dilution chamber 210, the ambient air A.sub.A
may mix with the cooking vapors or gases A.sub.C from cooking
chamber 104. The ambient air A.sub.A may mix with cooking vapors or
gases A.sub.C within dilution chamber 210 in order to reduce a
temperature of the cooking vapors or gases A.sub.C within dilution
chamber 210 and/or provide a suitable concentration of cooking
vapors or gases A.sub.C at sensor array 220 within dilution chamber
210. The ambient air A.sub.A may also act as a reference signal in
certain exemplary embodiments.
[0030] Sensor array 220 is mounted to casing 200 and includes a
plurality of fluid sensors 222. Fluid sensors 222 are positioned at
or within dilution chamber 210 such that fluid sensors 222 are
exposed to the mixture (shown with arrows A.sub.M) of ambient air
A.sub.A and cooking vapors or gases A.sub.C from cooking chamber
104 within dilution chamber 210. Fluid sensors 222 measure the
level, e.g., the concentration, of an off-gas or several off-gases
exhausting from a food item cooking within cooking chamber 104 via
duct 152. The off-gases or vapors may include gases typically given
off or emitted by cooking food items, such as water vapor, organic
solvent vapors, inorganic vapors, organic-nonpolar vapors, organic
polar vapors, amines, sulfur-containing compounds, etc. As a
further example, the off-gases or vapors may include alcohols,
inorganic acids, organic acids, aldehydes, heterocyclic compounds,
pyrazines, thiazoles, etc. In alternative exemplary embodiments,
fluid sensors 222 may measure additional or different gases. It
should be understood that each fluid sensor of fluid sensors 222
may be configured or set to measure a different off-gas or vapor or
combination of off-gases or vapors in a flow of fluid from cooking
chamber 104. Thus, each fluid sensor of fluid sensors 222 may be
different or configured differently. As discussed in greater detail
below, measurements or signals from fluid sensors 222 may be used
to determine when a food article within cooking chamber 104 is
cooked.
[0031] In certain exemplary embodiments, fluid sensors 222 may be a
metal oxide semiconductor ("MOS") sensors, which measure gas levels
through changes in resistance when a voltage is applied to sensor
array 220. Thus, the voltage readouts from fluid sensors 222 during
operation of oven appliance 100 may be compared using, e.g.,
controller 136, an op-amp comparator, analog to digital converter
or the like, to analyze or indicate changes in gas levels within
cooking chamber 104. As an example, the voltage readouts from fluid
sensors 222 during a cooking cycle may be compared or analyzed to
detect a pattern within the voltage readouts from fluid sensors 222
and determine when a food article within cooking chamber 104 is
cooked, as discussed in greater detail below. In alternative
exemplary embodiments, fluid sensors 222 may be any sensor suitable
for measuring off-gases, vapors or fumes generated in cooking
chamber 104, such as a near infrared ("NIR") gas detector, radio
frequency ("RF") sensor, optical sensor, multimodal sensor
platform, electrochemical sensors, etc. Sensor array 220 may
include any suitable number of fluid sensors 222. For example,
fluid sensors 222 may include at least three or at least four fluid
sensors each configured to measure or detect a different off-gas or
combination of off-gases. Fluid sensors 222 may be spaced apart
from each other, e.g., along the lateral direction L, on casing
200, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0032] As may be seen in FIG. 4, fluid inlet 212 of casing 200 is
contiguous with duct 152 and dilution chamber 210. Thus, fluid
inlet 212 of casing 200 extends between duct 152 and dilution
chamber 210 such that at least a portion of the fluid A.sub.C from
cooking chamber 104 flows into dilution chamber 210 via fluid inlet
212, e.g., during operation of air handler 154. Ambient inlet 214
is contiguous with ambient air A.sub.A about casing 200 and
dilution chamber 210. Thus, ambient air A.sub.A about casing 200
may flow into dilution chamber 210 via ambient inlet 214, e.g.,
during operation of air handler 154. Ambient inlet 214 may be
larger than fluid inlet 212, in certain exemplary embodiments.
[0033] Fluid inlet 212 and ambient inlet 214 may be positioned
opposite each other about dilution chamber 210, e.g., along the
transverse direction T. Thus, fluid inlet 212 and ambient inlet 214
may be positioned on opposite sidewalls of casing 200 and be spaced
apart from each other, e.g., along the transverse direction T, with
dilution chamber 210 positioned between fluid inlet 212 and ambient
inlet 214. In particular, fluid inlet 212 and ambient inlet 214 may
be aligned with each other across dilution chamber 210, e.g., along
the transverse direction T. Such positioning of fluid inlet 212 and
ambient inlet 214 relative to each other and dilution chamber 210
may assist mixing of ambient air A.sub.A and cooking vapors or
gases A.sub.C from cooking chamber 104 within dilution chamber 210.
Ambient inlet 214 may be positioned at an alternate position 215 on
a transverse side wall of casing 200 in alternative exemplary
embodiments. Thus, e.g., ambient inlet 214 may be positioned
opposite mixed fluid exit 216, e.g., along the lateral direction L,
on casing 200 at dilution chamber 210.
[0034] Casing 200 extends between a first side portion 202 and a
second side portion 204, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Fluid
inlet 212 and ambient inlet 214 may be positioned at first side
portion 202 of casing 200, and mixed fluid exit 216 may be
positioned at second side portion 204 of casing 200. Thus, mixed
fluid exit 216 may be spaced apart from fluid inlet 212 and/or
ambient inlet 214, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Mixed fluid
exit 216 may also be positioned between fluid inlet 212 and ambient
inlet 214, e.g., along the transverse direction T. Such positioning
of fluid inlet 212 and ambient inlet 214 relative to mixed fluid
exit 216 may also assist mixing of ambient air A.sub.A and cooking
vapors or gases A.sub.C from cooking chamber 104 within dilution
chamber 210. Fluid sensors 222 may also be positioned between fluid
inlet 212 and mixed fluid exit 216, e.g., along the lateral
direction L.
[0035] Casing 200 also extends between a top portion 206 and a
bottom portion 208, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Fluid
inlet 212, ambient inlet 214 and/or mixed fluid exit 216 may be
positioned at or adjacent bottom portion 208 of casing 200 in
certain exemplary embodiments. Fluid sensors 222 may also be
positioned at or adjacent bottom portion 208 of casing 200. In
addition, at least a portion of fluid inlet 212, ambient inlet 214,
mixed fluid exit 216 and/or fluid sensors 222 may be positioned
coplanar with one another, e.g., in a plane that is perpendicular
to the vertical direction V, in certain exemplary embodiments.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, fluid analysis assembly 160 includes a
control valve 230. Control valve 230 is positioned at ambient inlet
214 of casing 200. Control valve 230 is configured for selectively
adjusting a flow of ambient air A.sub.A into dilution chamber 210
via ambient inlet 214. Thus, in an open configuration (shown in
FIG. 3), control valve 230 allows ambient air A.sub.A into dilution
chamber 210 via ambient inlet 214. Conversely, control valve 230
blocks or limits ambient air A.sub.A from flowing into dilution
chamber 210 via ambient inlet 214 in a closed configuration (not
shown). Control valve 230 may be manually adjusted between the open
and closed configuration. As another example, fluid analysis
assembly 160 may include a motor or other suitable actuator coupled
to control valve 230 and configured for adjusting control valve 230
between the open and closed configurations. Controller 134 may be
operatively coupled to the motor or actuator of control valve 230
in order to selectively open and close the control valve 230 with
the motor or actuator of control valve 230.
[0037] Control valve 230 may be any suitable mechanism for
regulating the flow of ambient air A.sub.A into dilution chamber
210 via ambient inlet 214. For example, control valve 230 may be a
plate slidably mounted to casing 200 at a channel 232 of casing
200, and a fastener 234 may selectively secure or lock the plate in
one of the open or closed configurations. Control valve 230 may
assist with regulating mixing of ambient air A.sub.A and cooking
vapors or gases A.sub.C from cooking chamber 104 within dilution
chamber 210, as discussed in greater detail below.
[0038] Fluid analysis assembly 160 is configured for receiving
cooking vapors or gases A.sub.C from cooking chamber 104. Within
dilution chamber 210, the cooking vapors or gases A.sub.C are mixed
with ambient air A.sub.A and measured with fluid sensors 222. The
gas level measured by fluid sensors 222 may be used to determine
whether a food item cooking within oven appliance 100 is cooked or
still cooking or at a specific stage of cooking doneness, such as
light, medium, dark or burnt. For example, fluid sensors 222 may
measure the level or concentration of the gases given off a food
article within cooking chamber 104 when the food article is cooking
within oven appliance 100. A pattern of the gas levels values from
sensor array 220 may be utilized to establish when the food article
is cooked and/or a degree to which the food article is cooked. Such
features and operation of oven appliance 100 are discussed in
greater detail below in the context of FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for determining doneness of
food items within an oven appliance according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present subject matter. Method 500 may be used
with any suitable oven appliance. For example, method 500 may be
used with oven appliance 100 to determine doneness of a food item
within cooking chamber 104 with fluid analysis assembly 160. Thus,
method 500 is discussed in greater detail below in the context of
oven appliance 100. Controller 136 of oven appliance 100 may be
configured or programmed to implement method 500.
[0040] Prior to step 510, a user may select a cooking temperature
for oven appliance 100, and controller 136 may active top heating
element 124 and/or bottom heating element 126 to heat cooking
chamber 104 to the selected cooking temperature. After the cooking
chamber 104 is preheated, the user may place a food item within
cooking chamber 104. Utilizing interface panel 132, the user may
then activate a vapor or gas cooking cycle that is regulated or
monitored with fluid analysis assembly 160 to determine when the
food item within cooking chamber 104 is finished cooking. During
the vapor or gas cooking cycle, controller 136 may activate air
handler 154 to draw cooking vapors or gases A.sub.C from cooking
chamber 104 to fluid analysis assembly 160.
[0041] Alternatively, the preheat cycle may be omitted and the user
may place the food item to be cooked into cooking chamber 104.
Utilizing interface panel 132, the user may then activate the vapor
or gas cooking cycle that is regulated or monitored with fluid
analysis assembly 160 to determine when the food item within
cooking chamber 104 is finished cooking or at a desired degree of
cooking doneness.
[0042] At step 510, sensor array 220 is exposed to a mixture
A.sub.M of ambient air A.sub.A and cooking vapors or gases A.sub.C
from cooking chamber 104 within dilution chamber 210. During step
510, each fluid sensor of fluid sensors 222 outputs a signal
corresponding to the concentration of a respective off-gas or
combination of off-gases within cooking vapors or gases A.sub.C
from cooking chamber 104. Thus, sensor array 220 measures off-gases
within cooking vapors or gases A.sub.C from cooking chamber 104 at
step 510. It should be understood that data or measurements from
sensor array 220 at step 510 may be multivariate.
[0043] At step 520, the signals from fluid sensors 222 are
processed. For example, prior to carrying out a statistical
modeling at step 530, the signals from fluid sensors 222 are
pre-processed in order to "clean up" or otherwise improve the data
or measurements from fluid sensors 222 regarding the relative
concentration of a respective off-gas or combination of off-gases
within cooking vapors or gases A.sub.C from cooking chamber 104.
Step 520 may assist with reducing possible biases, increasing
signal-to-noise ratio, etc. in order to improve performance of
subsequent steps of method 500. Any suitable method or processing
or a combination thereof may be performed on the signals from fluid
sensors 222 at step 520. For example, the signals from fluid
sensors 222 may be normalized, mean-centered, detrended,
autoscaled, etc. at step 520.
[0044] At step 530, controller 134 utilizes the pre-processed
signals from fluid sensors 222 and a machine or statistical
learning algorithm(s) to determine a cooking status of the food
item within cooking chamber 104. In particular, the machine or
statistical learning algorithm or a combination thereof may be
programmed into controller 136, and controller 136 may receive the
processed signals from fluid sensors 222 and utilize the processed
signals from fluid sensors 222 as inputs for the machine or
statistical learning algorithm(s). The machine or statistical
learning algorithm(s) may output or establish a response pattern of
fluid sensors 222 based upon the inputted processed signals from
fluid sensors 222. The response pattern of fluid sensors 222 may
correspond to a chemical composition of the cooking vapors or gases
A.sub.C from cooking chamber 104. Controller 136 may determine the
cooking status of the food item within cooking chamber 104 at step
530 based upon the response pattern of fluid sensors 222 from the
machine or statistical learning algorithm, e.g., independent of
cooking time.
[0045] An alert may be activated when the cooking status of the
food item is done. For example, a customizable (e.g., user-defined)
alert may be activated when the cooking status of the food item is
a desired doneness level. The alert may also be activated to
directly control parameters of oven appliance 100, such as lowering
the set temperature of oven appliance 100 or turning off oven
appliance 100. Thus, method 500 may notify the user when the food
item is cooked. The cooking status may be a selected or desired
cooking status, such as lightly cooked, browned, burned, etc. FIG.
7 is an exemplary plot 700 of signals from sensor array 220 during
method 700. Each dashed line in the plot 700 of FIG. 7 corresponds
to an output of signal from a respective one of fluid sensors 222.
As shown in FIG. 7, the outputs of fluid sensors 222 increases over
time during cooking of the food item within oven appliance 100.
Based upon a pattern of the signals from fluid sensors 222, method
500 utilizes the machine or statistical learning algorithm to
determine when the food item is "cooking," "light," "dark,"
"burnt," "rare," "medium rare," "medium," "medium well," "well,"
etc. Thus, the user may select whether method 500 alerts the user
when the food item is lightly cooked, darkly cooked, burnt,
etc.
[0046] Any suitable machine or statistical learning algorithm or
combination of models may be provided at step 530 to assist with
determining the cooking status of the food item within cooking
chamber 104. For example, the machine or statistical learning
model(s) may be a linear discriminant analysis model, a partial
least squares discriminant analysis model, a support vector
machine, a random tree model, a logistic regression model, a naive
Bayes classification model, a K-nearest neighbor classification
model, a quadratic discriminant analysis model, an anomaly
detection model, a boosted and bagged decision tree model, an
artificial neural network model, a C4.5 model, a k-means model or a
combination of two or more of the above listed models.
[0047] It should be understood that a balance between simplicity
and robustness should be considered when selecting the machine or
statistical learning algorithm(s) for step 530. For example, the
machine or statistical learning algorithm may be saved within the
memory of controller 136. As a particular example, a partial least
square discriminant analysis model may provide a robust and simple
linear method while also reducing risk of overfitting by reducing
dimensional space. Calibration bias may also be avoided or limited
by utilizing cross-validation routines along with a calibration
set.
[0048] Method 500 may assist with determining doneness of food
items during cooking and/or baking of the food items within an oven
appliance. Utilizing method 500, a timer may be unnecessary to
determine whether the food items have been cooked to a user desired
degree of doneness. In particular, method 500 may monitor vapor
group response patterns rather than individual vapor concentrations
to determine doneness of food items during cooking and/or baking of
the food items within the oven appliance. The response patterns are
based on the chemical composition of the vapors generated during
the cooking process. Thus, method 500 may discern cooking stages of
the food items either in a cooking-time independent manner or using
cooking time as a variable and without relying upon absolute
cooking vapor concentrations.
[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for operating an oven
appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter. Method 600 may be utilized in or with any suitable
oven appliance. For example, method 600 may be utilized in or with
oven appliance 100. Thus, method 600 is discussed in greater detail
below in the context of oven appliance 100. Controller 136 may be
programmed or configured to implement method 600. Utilizing method
600, oven appliance 100 may cook a food item within cooking chamber
104 to a desired degree of doneness, as discussed in greater detail
below.
[0050] At step 605, controller 136 determines whether sensor
cooking is enabled. For example, a user may actuate controls 134 or
other input on user interface 128 to enable a sensor cooking cycle
prior to step 605, and user interface 128 may communicate with or
signal controller 136 when the user actuates controls 134 or other
input on user interface 128 corresponding to the sensor cooking
cycle. When sensor cooking is disabled, oven appliance 100 may
operate to heat cooking chamber 104, and the user may insert a food
item into the cooking chamber 104 for a suitable period of time.
Thus, oven appliance 100 may operate with timer cooking if sensor
cooking is disabled at step 605. Conversely, if sensor cooking is
enabled at step 605, method 600 proceeds to step 610.
[0051] At step 610, controller 136 receives a food type and/or a
desired doneness for a food item during sensor cooking As an
example, a user may utilize controls 134 or other inputs on user
interface 128 to communicate or signal controller 136 the food type
and/or the desired doneness for the food item during sensor cooking
at step 610. In particular, the user may select pizza, biscuits,
cake, cookies, etc. as the food type and light, dark, etc. as the
desired doneness with controls 134 or other inputs on user
interface 128 at step 610. As another example, the user may
communicate with or signal controller 136 with a separate computing
device, such as a smartphone, tablet or personal computer, at step
610 to communicate or signal the food type and/or the desired
doneness for the food item during sensor cooking at step 610. Thus,
the food type and/or the desired doneness for the food item during
sensor cooking may be established or determined at step 610.
[0052] At step 615, control valve 230 may be opened. Thus, ambient
air A.sub.A may flow into dilution chamber 210 via ambient inlet
214 after step 615. Controller 134 may activate an actuator of
control valve 230 at step 615 in order to open control valve 230,
e.g., to a desired position for the food type selected or
determined at step 610. Thus, control valve 230 may be opened any
suitable amount at step 615, e.g., fully or partially. Control
valve 230 may be closed prior to step 605 in order to limit or
prevent contamination of fluid sensors 222 when oven appliance 100
and/or fluid analysis assembly 160 is inactive. However, in certain
exemplary embodiments, fluid analysis assembly 160 may not include
control valve 230. Thus, method 600 need not include step 615 in
certain exemplary embodiments.
[0053] At step 620, controller 136 runs or activates a preheat
cycle of oven appliance 100. During the preheat cycle, controller
136 operates top heating element 124 and/or bottom heating element
126 to heat cooking chamber 104 to a preselected temperature. Thus,
method 600 may include receiving a cooking temperature selection
prior to step 620. As an example, a user may input the cooking
temperature selection at user interface 128 prior to step 620, and
controller 136 may operate top heating element 124 and/or bottom
heating element 126 to heat cooking chamber 104 to the cooking
temperature selection at step 620. Thus, in certain exemplary
embodiments, food items within cooking chamber 104 are cooked at a
temperature selected by a user of oven appliance 100 during sensor
cooking of method 600. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the
cooking temperature may be to a default cooking temperature
corresponding to the food type identified at step 610.
[0054] At step 625, controller 136 determines when the preheat
cycle of oven appliance 100 is complete. As an example, controller
136 may establish or determine that the preheat cycle of oven
appliance 100 is completer when the temperature of cooking chamber
104 corresponds to the cooking temperature selection described
above or another predetermined cooking temperature.
[0055] At step 630, controller 136 instructs a user of oven
appliance 100 to insert a food item into the cooking chamber 104.
As an example, the controller 136 may present an instruction on
display 130 of user interface 128 and/or transmit a message to a
smartphone, tablet or personal computer at step 630 to instruct the
user of oven appliance 100 to insert the food item into the cooking
chamber 104 at step 630.
[0056] In response to the instruction of step 630, a user places
the food item into cooking chamber 104. The food item inserted into
cooking chamber 104 at or after step 630 (e.g., preferably)
corresponds to the food type selected or determined at step 610.
Thus, the type of food item cooked during sensor cooking of method
600 is identified at step 610 in order to increase an accuracy
and/or precision of a cooking doneness determination during
subsequent steps of method 600. For example, if a pizza is cooked
during method 600, pizza should be selected at step 610, and pizza
should be inserted into cooking chamber 104 at or after step
630.
[0057] At step 635, controller 136 receives a start sensor cooking
cycle signal. As an example, after inserting the food item into
cooking chamber 104, the user may actuate controls 134 or other
input on user interface 128 corresponding to the start sensor
cooking cycle signal. In such a manner, method 600 may initiate or
execute subsequent steps of method 600 after confirming with the
user that the food item is disposed within cooking chamber 104.
[0058] At step 640, controller 136 initiates or runs a sensor
cooking cycle. During the sensor cooking cycle, controller 136 may
receive inputs or signals from fluid analysis assembly 160 in order
to determine when the food item within cooking chamber 104 is
cooked to the desired degree from step 610. Thus, e.g., controller
136 and/or fluid analysis assembly 160 may monitor gases or vapors
from cooking chamber 104 during the sensor cooking cycle in order
to determine when the food item in cooking chamber 104 is cooked.
During the sensor cooking cycle, controller 136 may activate air
handler 154 to draw cooking vapors or gases A.sub.C from cooking
chamber 104 to fluid analysis assembly 160 and ambient air A.sub.A
may flow into dilution chamber 210 via ambient inlet 214 in order
to form the mixture A.sub.M of ambient air A.sub.A and cooking
vapors or gases A.sub.C from cooking chamber 104 within dilution
chamber 210 at fluid sensors 222 as described above.
[0059] At step 645, controller 136 determines whether a minimum
cook time has elapsed during the sensor cooking cycle. Cooking the
food item for at least the minimum cook time during the sensor
cooking cycle may allow gas or vapor concentrations from cooking
chamber 104 to increase and/or stabilize prior to measuring the
gases or vapors from cooking chamber 104 with fluid analysis
assembly 160 in subsequent steps of method 600. Thus, the minimum
cook time may correspond to a period of time suitable for gas or
vapor concentrations from cooking chamber 104 to approach
measurable or regular levels. The minimum cook time may be any
suitable period of time for particular food items. For example, the
minimum cook time may be five minutes (e.g. for cookies), ten
minutes (e.g. for bread), etc. If the minimum cook time has not
elapsed at step 640, method 600 loops back to step 640. Conversely,
method 600 proceeds to step 650 when the minimum cook time meets or
exceeds a sensor cooking cycle bake time at step 645.
[0060] At step 650, controller 136 determines or establishes
whether a machine or statistical learning algorithm indicates or
signals that the food item within cooking chamber 104 has cooked to
the desired doneness from step 610 during the sensor cooking cycle.
Step 650 may correspond to or utilize method 500 described above to
determine or establish whether the machine or statistical learning
algorithm indicates or signals that the food item within cooking
chamber 104 has cooked to the desired doneness from step 610 during
the sensor cooking cycle. Thus, controller 136 may receive signals
from fluid sensors 222 at step 650 and utilize the signals from
fluid sensors 222 as inputs for the machine or statistical learning
algorithm. The machine or statistical learning algorithm may output
or establish a response pattern of fluid sensors 222, and
controller 136 may determine the cooking status of the food item
within cooking chamber 104 based upon the response pattern of fluid
sensors 222 from the machine or statistical learning algorithm at
step 650. If the machine or statistical learning algorithm does not
indicate that the food item within cooking chamber 104 has cooked
to the desired doneness, method 600 continues the sensor cooking
cycle. Conversely, method 600 proceeds to step 655 when the machine
or statistical learning algorithm indicates that the food item
within cooking chamber 104 has cooked to the desired doneness.
[0061] At step 655, controller 136 activates an alert. Thus, method
500 includes activating an alert when the cooking status of the
food item corresponds to the desired doneness from step 610 at step
650. Controller 136 may activate any suitable alert at step 655.
For example, controller 136 may present a sensor cooking cycle
completion message on display 130 of user interface 128 and/or
transmit a message to a smartphone, tablet or personal computer at
step 655 to alert the user of oven appliance 100 that the food item
within cooking chamber 104 is cooked or at a pre-set desired degree
of doneness or at a user-defined degree of doneness. The alert may
also be activated to directly control parameters of oven appliance
100, e.g., lowering the set temperature of oven appliance 100 or
turning off oven appliance 100. Additionally if the user does not
respond to the alert, for example by opening door 108 or
terminating the cook cycle, controller 136 may terminate the
cooking cycle to prevent excessive cooking (e.g., burning) of the
food item.
[0062] At step 660, control valve 230 may be closed. Thus, control
valve 230 may block or limit ambient air A.sub.A from flowing into
dilution chamber 210 via ambient inlet 214 after step 660.
Controller 134 may activate an actuator of control valve 230 at
step 660 in order to close control valve 230. Control valve 230 may
be closed at step 660 in order to limit or prevent contamination of
fluid sensors 222, e.g., when oven appliance 100 and/or fluid
analysis assembly 160 is inactive. However, in certain exemplary
embodiments, fluid analysis assembly 160 may not include control
valve 230. Thus, method 600 need not include step 660 in certain
exemplary embodiments.
[0063] Method 600 may also include cleaning fluid sensors 222,
e.g., after step 650 and/or 660. Method 600 may clean fluid sensors
222 by heating fluid sensors 222 to a suitable temperature, e.g.,
with a heating element on or at probes of fluid sensors 222. In
such a manner, performance of fluid sensors 222 over time may be
improved and/or stabilized. In particular, contamination or
deposition of vapors and/or gases on fluid sensors 222 may be
limited or reduced by cleaning fluid sensors 222.
[0064] Utilizing method 600, cooking of a food item within cooking
chamber 104 may be monitored with fluid analysis assembly 160 in
order to determine when the food item within cooking chamber 104 is
cooked to a desired degree. Thus, method 600 may assist with
monitoring signals from fluid sensors 222 while fluid sensors 222
are exposed to gases or vapors from cooking chamber 104 in order to
determine when the food item is cooked.
[0065] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *